On tap at the brewpub. Dark brown pour with barely any head. Aroma of bourbon, light sweet malt, mild touches of toffee and peat smoke. Flavor is, as expected, strong on the bourbon. Nice, rich notes from Robert the Bruce peak out behind the rich bourbon. Somewhat boozy but in a nice way. Lots of vanilla, chocolate, mild dark fruit. Iíve been looking to try this straight bourbon version of Robert the Bruce for a while. Slick, spirit like mouthfeel. Warming. This is very enjoyable.

Draft on tap at the brewpub (Munster, IN). Finale of MuckFest 3 Weekend. Quick stop in for a single rate. Pours a darker brownish pour, decent darkness and haziness with a frothy tannish head atop, dies to a decent sized ring, laces ok overall. Aromas are striking, richer oak and spirit, Bourbon and vanilla, toffee, sticky darker malts. Carmelized and toasty elements, touches of peat, more caramel, as the barrel integrates well here. Touches of dark fruit, toffee, and biscuity malts. Initial is medium bodied, a bit thinned with some heat, richer barrel presence is enjoyable yet not quite overdone (As some FFF Barrel Aged products can be). Lots of vanilla, Bourbon, oak. Toasted coconut, cocoa, and caramel. Toffee, caramel, and biscuits with some kisses of dark fruit. Middle and backend remain barrel laden elements with some heat, sticky malts, and just some subtle hints to the Scottish Ale base. Finish is lingering barrel and sticky malts, biscuits, touches of earthy malts. Pretty solid beer here if a bit much on the barrel at times (And I can definitely seeing others not like it for that very reason). It didnít reach my limit though.

I had this beer on tap at the map room around St. Patrick’s Day this year in Chicago. I’ve had the regular Robert the Bruce, it was quite tasty, but this brings it to a whole new level. The Bourbon was not overpowering but delicately complimented the taste of the scottish ale, and gave it much more complexity. Overall one of the better barrel aged beers I’ve had.

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